WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released its latest data on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States, revealing both promising declines and persistent challenges in tackling the epidemic. The report indicates that while the number of STIs remains alarmingly high, with over 2.4 million cases reported in 2023, certain trends suggest a potential turning point.
Notably, gonorrhea cases have decreased for the second consecutive year, showing a 7% reduction from 2022 and falling below pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019. This decline offers a hopeful outlook after years of rising infection rates. Meanwhile, overall syphilis cases increased by a modest 1%, marking a significant slowdown from the double-digit annual increases witnessed in recent years.
Particularly encouraging is the substantial 10% drop in primary and secondary syphilis cases, the most infectious stages of the disease. This marks the first notable decline in over two decades. Among gay and bisexual men, these cases have decreased by 13%, a first since the CDC began tracking this demographic in the mid-2000s. However, the increase in congenital syphilis, or newborn syphilis cases, has slowed to a 3% rise, a stark contrast to the 30% annual increases of previous years.
“I see a glimmer of hope amidst millions of STIs,” stated Jonathan Mermin, M.D., M.P.H., Director of CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. “After nearly two decades of STI increases, the tide is turning. We must make the most of this moment—let’s further this momentum with creative innovation and further investment in STI prevention.”
Despite these positive trends, the report highlights ongoing disparities affecting marginalized communities more severely. American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, and Hispanic/Latino populations continue to face higher rates of STIs, compounded by socioeconomic factors such as poverty, lack of health insurance, limited access to healthcare, and social stigma.
Addressing these inequities is a key component of federal and community efforts. Recent advancements in STI prevention include CDC guidelines for doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy PEP) to prevent bacterial STIs, FDA-approved at-home tests for syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, and a coordinated national response to the syphilis epidemic spearheaded by the National Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis Syndemic Task Force.
However, the CDC underscores the need for sustained efforts to reverse the STI epidemic comprehensively. This includes prioritizing the issue at all government levels, developing new prevention and treatment solutions, expanding the reach of existing interventions like doxy PEP, and investing in public health systems capable of delivering STI services.
Furthermore, making STI testing and treatment more accessible in varied settings, such as emergency departments, and local community initiatives are vital for ensuring broader reach and impact. As the nation grapples with high STI rates, the CDC remains committed to fostering an environment where prevention and care are accessible to all, aiming for a healthier future with fewer infections.
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